Beware, over-the-counter antibiotics could kill you: MoH warns

Dubai, UAE: The Ministry of Health (MoH) has warned against dispensing of antibiotics without prescription and overuse of these medicines.

Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of the MoH for Public Health Policies and Licensing and Chairman of the Higher Pharmaceutical Vigilance Committee, said 50 to 80 per cent of bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics. This will weaken the immune system, prolong the disease and cause health implications which could even lead to death.

Current estimates, he noted, place the annual number of deaths from antibiotic resistant bacteria at around 700,000 worldwide.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) observed the World Antibiotic Awareness Week from November 16 to 22 to raise awareness and encourage best practices among the public, policy-makers and health and agriculture professionals to avoid further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.

Dr Al Amiri emphasised the ministry’s keenness to rationalise the use of antibiotics to avert health risks. According to the WHO, antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health today.

Dr Al Amiri called on pharmacies to adhere to regulations and legislations governing the pharmacological sector, and warned that violators will face investigation.